There are two matches remaining in Division 2, both scheduled for the coming week.

On Wednesday 25th, Gateshead A play Alnwick needing a win to snatch the second promotion slot away from Tynemouth Castles. At the same time, Alnwick will be looking to put some daylight between themselves and Jesmond Wasps at the bottom of the table.

On Friday 27th, the Wasps travel to Forest Hall B. Surpass Alnwick’s result and they will overtake Alnwick; win and they will leapfrog their clubmates the Sharks.

For the avoidance of doubt, this was a default conceded by Leam Lane rather than imposed by Tynedale. The Comets wished to decline promotion in any event, and so once they failed in their title bid, this match became a dead rubber.

They went into tonight’s match knowing that even a 3-2 defeat would seal the title, but they had the decency to do it with a 3½-1½ win. Congratulations to all my Jesmond Rookies team-mates that I haven’t already congratulated personally – I think we all coped admirably well with being by far the highest-graded team in the division!